Protective gel composition for treating white phosphorus burn wounds

Abstract

Water soluble hydrogels of alkali metal alginate and glycerin containing 0.01 to 1% cupric (copper) sulfate pentahydrate or silver salts such as silver acetate, silver lactate monohydrate and silver nitrate have been found to be excellent wound dressing treatment composition for white phosphorus burns. Cupric sulfate pentahydrate or silver salts such as silver acetate, silver lactate monohydrate and silver nitrate in the gel reacts with the particles of white phosphorus to form a coating around said particles thus rendering them unable to cause further burn injury to the skin. The gels dry to an adherent, non-toxic pliable protective film which can be removed by water-washing when desired. The gels are also compatible with other medicaments and hence can serve as vehicles or carriers for medicament application to wounds as well as a protective cover.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for treating white phosphorus burn wounds which comprises applying over the wound surface a coating of an aqueous gel composition comprising 0.01 to 1% by weight of a water-soluble silver or copper salt selected from the group consisting of silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver lactate monohydrate and copper sulfate pentahydrate which will dissolve in water at a minimum concentration of 0.1% by weight of the water in the gel and as a matrix therefor, a water-soluble hydrogel consisting essentially of about 0.5 to 3% by weight alkali metal alginate, about 8 to 12% by weight glycerin and about 82 to 90% by weight water wherein the hydrogel has a pH in the range of 6.8 to 7.2 and which upon drying forms a flexible, stretchable, transparent, water-soluble protective film, non-toxic and adherent to a white phosphorus burn wound surface to which gel composition is applied, and which allows for encapsulation and removal of vivid darkened white phosphorus particles. 
     
     
       2. A method of claim 1 wherein the silver salt is silver nitrate. 
     
     
       3. A method of claim 1 wherein the copper salt is 0.01% to 0.1% copper sulfate pentahydrate. 
     
     
       4. A method of claim 1 wherein the gel composition comprises a medicament in addition to said water soluble silver or copper salt.